The defining factor for Tennessee basketball next season will be how Rick Barnes builds out the frontcourt. The Vols already have elite talent on the perimeter with names including Terence Hill, Jalen Haralson, and Dai Dai Ames, but the frontcourt has been largely overlooked this offseason. DeWayne Brown II is back, and Tennessee added Miles Rubin to handle the five, but beyond that, it’s been quiet. Oregon State big man Jonah Munch is visiting this weekend, and it looks like the Vols will have another option on campus this week as well.
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Per 247Sports, Tennessee is hosting 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward Braeden Lue on a visit. The former Kennesaw State big man averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks a game last season while shooting 45.2% from the field. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining, making him a potential frontcourt piece with future upside.
NEWS: Tennessee basketball hosting Kennesaw State all-conference forward on transfer visit.
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Kennesaw State big man Braeden Lue is visiting Knoxville
Where Lue Shines is on the defensive end of the floor. Last season, Lue was in the 91st percentile in block rate, showing off his impressive rim protection skills. Swapping out Miles Rubin, an elite rim protector in Lue, would be a huge advantage for the Vols. While not an elite rebounder, he can grab boards and bring th physical edge that a Barnes team always has.
Lue is far from a sharpshooter at this point in his career. In two seasons, he has only a 27.8% 3-point percentage, but he has a good enough shot to keep defenses honest. Where he makes his money is in the basket, and with Tennessee having enough stud scorers, they don't need to worry about this. Lue's role would be to defend the rim and rebound the ball.
While this might not be the most flashy visitor of all time, this is a real need for the Tennessee roster next season. Let's hope that Barnes can knock it out of the park because Lue is the exact type of player that Tennessee needs to bring in for next year.
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